My Visit to Mansfield, Missouri
Story and Photos By Ginger Alexander, Click images for larger view
In June 2003, my family and I took a
trip to Branson, Missouri. After a few days there, we made our way north
ninety minutes to Mansfield. Missouri itself is a beautiful state in
early June. My excitement grew as I was seeing some of the same
landscape the Wilders saw so many years ago.
Coming up to the Wilder home was a wonder. After watching a short film
about the travels of the Ingalls we were taken into the museum. The
first thing you see is Pa's fiddle.
It is surrounded by a secure airtight showcase. There are countless photos blown to poster size so to see every detail. Some other things on display are: Mary's beadwork, a dress Laura made first drafts of Laura's books and the beautiful writing desk Almanzo mad for Laura.
We were then able to tour the Wilder home.
Each room gave an air of warmth and family. Mrs. Wilder's desk was left
just as she had it at her death in 1957. The home was filled with
furniture that Almanzo built, as well as books Laura treasured.
Abiding by the "no camera please" rule was hard, as I am a photographer.
That I did understand though. It was amazing enough to record this visit
to memory.
The grounds around the home are so peaceful. It's easy to see how the
Wilder's found the promise in Rocky Ridge. The bookstore was full of
anything you could want Little House related. There are: books,
ornaments, bonnets, key chains, and T-shirts.
About a half mile up the highway is the Rock House that Rose had built
for her parents in 1928. The Wilders only lived there for a short time.
The view from the front of this home opens up into a huge open filed.
The grass is lush green. The rock house and its surroundings were
engulfed with the large old trees.
Upon leaving the Wilder homes, we drove into the town square. We noticed
a bust of Mrs. Wilder. It was built by William J. Williams and erected
in September 1993. At ground level are bricks with each of the nine
titles and year they were published of Mrs. Wider's books.
After enjoying the small town atmosphere we made our way to the
cemetery. There we found the gravesite of the Wilders as well as their
daughter Rose.
Their modest headstones stand among many others like them. Only the name, birth date and death dates give proof that this is where Laura Ingalls Wilder lies.
I realized she didn’t need a head stone that said "Author of the Little House books." Her legacy was in her stories of her life. What was simply put on her headstone didn’t matter.
Mrs. Wilder was an amazing woman who lived during trying times. It was to our advantage that she chose to share those as well as the happy times with us all.
For more information on Laura's home in Mansfield visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum Web site by clicking here.
